AETN calls for 2015 student film showcase entries

Posted 18 Dec 2014

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is accepting entries for "Student Selects: A Young Filmmakers Showcase," which highlights the creativity and talent of the state's kindergarten through 12th grade students. Selected entries will be broadcast on AETN and posted to aetn.org/studentselects. Entries must be submitted electronically or postmarked by Friday, March 27, and winners will be announced in May.

"We have a long history of encouraging and supporting emerging filmmakers from around the state," AETN Director of Production Carole Adornetto said. "We are so grateful to our partners for their help, support and generosity as we have watched this program grow to include scholarships, workshops, hands-on instruction by esteemed professionals, and the chance to be seen by over 300,000 viewers on AETN."

Now in its ninth year, "Student Selects" is an annual event that grants these future filmmakers the opportunity to submit their film and video handiwork for possible broadcast on AETN, streaming on aetn.org and screening at the Little Rock Film Festival (LRFF) and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF). Throughout the year, "Student Selects" maintains an open call policy, and AETN will accept and review entries as they are received.

"I see a real sophistication in the work of Arkansas's young filmmakers, and through our programs and partners we are able to support their work beyond the classroom," AETN Producer Casey Sanders said. "I love having a role in fostering young people's creativity and professionalism.

"When students work with their own ideas and are allowed to create freely, the results can be astounding."

High school seniors who submit films to AETN's "Student Selects" may also compete for $10,000 in college scholarships from the THEA Foundation. THEA awards four $2,500 Young Filmmaker Scholarships to graduating seniors who enter and qualify. Categories include: screenwriting, directing, cinematography and editing. This THEA scholarship competition is unique in that it is open to students who attend public, private, charter or home schools, as well as those who have completed their GED. Scholarships will be awarded to the student's institution of choice, regardless of planned major, GPA or test scores.

In partnership with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and the Arkansas Humanities Council, ninth through 12th grade students may compete for the Arkansas Historic Places Student Film Prize, which honors student documentaries about any historic site in the state. Films must focus on a site in Arkansas that is at least 50 or more years old. Films are awarded prizes based on geographical location of the subject matter – the Ozarks, the Ouachitas, the Arkansas River Valley, the Timberlands and the Delta. Winners in each of these categories will receive $100. One overall prize winner selected from the five category winners will receive $200.

Entry categories include, but are not limited to:

Documentary.

Narrative (short, full-length, fiction, sitcom, etc.).

Animation (hand-drawn, Claymation, Flash, computer-modeled, etc.).

Music videos.

PSAs.

Anyone interested in submitting films should visit aetn.org/studentselects for complete rules, to submit entries electronically and to download entry forms for mailed entries. Past entries may also be viewed online. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Casey Sanders at 501-682-4190 or csanders@aetn.org.

AETN will host youth filmmaking workshops and screenings of student films at the LRFF and HSDFF in 2015.

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is the Department of Arkansas Heritage agency responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving cultural resources.

The THEA Foundation is a nonprofit, public foundation founded in 2001 by the parents of Thea Kay Leopoulos, Linda and Paul David Leopoulos. The founders and board of directors have adopted the mission of carrying Thea's legacy forward through advocating the importance of art in the development of youth through educational and promotional activities and to encourage individual participation in art through scholarship, partnership and other programs.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).